Chapter 11
With Gerard’s help, Bernie had the old produce truck set up, extra tables laid out and a couple of chairs sitting nearby in case business was slow.
The morning flew by. Neither Bernie nor Gerard sat down once.
It was as if the entire town of Bayou Mambaloa had turned out for the farmer’s market that day, and everyone made it a point to stop at her truck and buy some of her produce.
Word had circulated that Billie Joe Weems had been captured trying to burn down Bernie’s barn. Every customer had to express their concern and delight that they’d caught him, and it was all over. Things could get back to normal at Bellamy Acres.
Bernie smiled and thanked her neighbors and friends, careful not to say anything about Burns, all the while waiting for her cell phone to ring with the news that Burns had shown up at the hospital to silence Billie Joe.
Halfway through the morning, she was shocked when she caught sight of Robert Burns strolling through the market, smiling and laughing as if nothing was wrong.
“Do you see who I see?” Bernie whispered, anger simmering beneath the surface.
Gerard’s jaw tightened, the only indication that it bothered him as much as it bothered Bernie to see the man walking around free and clear. “I do.”
“I guess the sheriff’s plan didn’t work,” Bernie said. “How can we get him to confess to his part in sabotaging my place?”
“I don’t know,” Gerard said. “Something’s got to give.”
Customers converged on the produce truck, and Bernie lost track of Burns. When she looked for him again, there was no sign of the man.
So much for feeling safe. What was to keep him from hiring someone else to do his dirty work? Hell, if he shot Billie Joe and got away with it, what was to keep him from shooting her? That would solve his problems.
With Bernie out of the way, she didn’t have anyone who’d inherit the place. What would happen to it?
She hadn’t really thought about what would happen upon her death. She hadn’t planned on dying anytime soon. Making a mental note to speak to a lawyer on Monday, she continued to smile and sell corn, peas and okra to the generous members of her community.
By two o’clock, many of her bins were empty, and the extra bushels of corn had been sold. She was about to call it a day when her cell phone rang.
Bernie glanced at the caller ID, and her heart immediately started racing.
“This is Bernie,” she answered.
Sheriff Bergeron’s deep voice filled her ear. “Bernie, we got him.”
Bernie’s knees buckled, and she would have dropped to the ground if Gerard hadn’t chosen that moment to stand beside her.
He slipped an arm around her waist and held her upright.
“Thank God,” she breathed into the phone. “We didn’t think your plan was working when we saw him here at the farmer’s market. I have Gerard with me. Can you tell us what happened?” Bernie punched the speaker button on her phone so Gerard could hear the sheriff.
“He must’ve made a showing at the market to throw people off.
He arrived just after one o’clock when the nurses take turns going to lunch.
Our undercover nurse saw him slip into Billie Joe’s room.
Thankfully, Billie Joe refused painkillers so that he would be coherent when Burns showed up.
We got audio evidence of him blaming Billie Joe for botching the job and not finishing it by burning down the barn. ”
“He said all that?”
“He did,” the sheriff said. “When we had enough to book him, our undercover guy moved in just in time to catch Burns holding a pillow over Billie Joe’s face.”
“Oh my God,” Bernie exclaimed. “Is he okay?”
“He’s fine and glad they led Burns away in handcuffs. He finally got his pain meds and is resting. The judge should be lenient on him after he helped us get Burns’ confession.”
Bernie sighed. “Thank you, sheriff. I’ll sleep better tonight, knowing he’s locked up.”
“Oh, and Billie Joe had the deputy drop by the room he was renting from Mrs. Crabtree to get his dog. He said you promised to look out for him until he’s released.”
“I did. The deputy can drop him off at my place in an hour. I’m wrapping up here at the farmer’s market and will head that way.” Bernie drew in a deep breath and let it out. “Thank you, sheriff.”
“No, Bernie,” Sheriff Bergeron said, “thank you and that man of yours. If you hadn’t been there to catch Billie Joe in the act, Burns would’ve gotten away with it. Now, he’s behind bars for the destruction of property, arson and attempted murder.”
As Bernie ended the call, she smiled at Gerard. “My man, huh?” She shook her head. “Thank you for being there to keep me safe and stop Burns from destroying Bellamy Acres.” She looked around at the empty bins and baskets. “What do you say we pack it in and head back to the farm?”
“I’m all for it,” Gerard said. “Seems like a good night to eat in.” His lips tilted in a teasing smile. “I’ll cook.”
“As long as you’re naked,” she whispered.
“I can arrange that,” he said with a grin.
Happiness bubbled up inside Bernie. She’d just folded one of the chairs when LaShawnda Jones hurried across the gravel in her signature three-inch heels, wearing an eye-popping teal skirt suit and waving her matching acrylic nails. The color complimented her glistening dark skin to perfection.
Bernie envied the woman’s ability to always appear dressed like a runway model.
“Bernie, darling,” she said as she came to a stop in front of the produce truck. “I’m glad I caught you.”
Bernie smiled at her friend. “LaShawnda, I’m sorry, we’re just about sold out of everything.”
She shook her head. “I just heard about what happened at your place last night and that Robert Burns was behind it.” Her full, luscious lips pursed in a pretty pout.
“I’m glad they caught him. He’s been impossible to work with since Grand Bijou started buying up property in the area.
He was determined to get the bonus they offered to anyone who got you to sell Bellamy Acres to them—that, on top of the commission.
I knew he was greedy, but he went too far. ”
Bernie frowned. “They offered a bonus to get me to sell?”
LaShawnda touched Bernie’s arm. “I just wanted you to know I gave them a hard pass. You can’t put a price on our friendship.
Not even for one hundred thousand dollars.
” She leaned close and air-kissed Bernie’s cheek.
“Anyway, I’m glad you’re okay, and Bellamy Acres is still yours.
Bayou Mambaloa wouldn’t be the same without your sweet face here.
” She turned to Gerard. “Mmm. Aren’t you delicious?
He’s a keeper, Bernie. Gotta go, love. I’ll see you later. ”
As quickly as she’s swooped in, LaShawnda drifted away, making walking in three-inch stilettos on gravel look like art.
Gerard chuckled. “Who was that?”
“LaShawnda Jones. She’s a real estate agent.” Bernie’s gaze followed her friend, a frown forming on her forehead. “Did you hear that? Grand Bijou offered a hundred-thousand-dollar bonus to whoever could get me to sell.”
“No wonder he was so determined.” Gerard folded a table, slid it into the back of the truck then piled the chairs on top. “I think we’re ready. Do you want me to drive?”
“Yes, please,” she said. “I’m getting used to having someone around to help. It’ll be a tough transition back to the real world when you move on to your next assignment.”
“Trying to get rid of me already?” he said.
“No way. You owe me. I plan on collecting on that raincheck.” She leaned back in her seat, a smile spreading across her face.
“It’ll be nice to be home surrounded by peace and quiet.
I love my town and the people in it, but after smiling and greeting folks all day long, I look forward to being alone with you. ”
As Gerard pulled into the driveway leading up to the farmhouse, he whistled. “I don’t think we’re going to get the peace and quiet you expected.”
Bernie frowned. “What’s going on?”
Cars lined the driveway and were parked in the field close to the house. Music blared, and the roar of laughter filtered through the air into the cab of the old truck.
“Someone’s having a party,” Gerard said.
“At my house? Do you think we’re invited?” She recognized some of the vehicles parked in the grass. “Is the entire town here?” Based on the size of the crowd, collecting on that raincheck was again on hold.
Gerard parked as close as he could get to the house. He hurried around to open Bernie’s door and helped her down to the grass. “Nothing like being late to your own party,” he quipped.
“A party I knew nothing about,” she grumbled, disappointed that she wouldn’t have Gerard all to herself.
As they approached the throng of people laughing and dancing in the yard, someone shouted, “She’s here!”
Everyone turned as one, and a cheer went up that probably reached into the next parish.
Shelby, Felina, Mimi and Gisele converged on her, grinning.
“Were you surprised?” Felina asked.
“Most definitely.” Bernie frowned. “But it’s not my birthday.”
“It’s not a birthday party,” Shelby said.
Gisele flung her arm wide. “It’s a Save Bellamy Acres Fund-raising Carnival.”
“Entry to the party is by a donation of your choice,” Felina said.
Mimi held out a bushel basket full of money and checks. “The entire town turned out to make sure you don’t have to sell Bellamy Acres. We love this place, and most of all, we love you.”
“But they bought all my produce today. That was already generous of them.”
Mimi laughed. “We bought all your produce so we could have a huge crawfish boil and all the sides. We’ve been here all day setting up and cooking while you were at the farmer’s market.”
Bernie shook her head, smiling at the love and generosity of her friends and community. “How did I not know this?”
“The entire town was in on it.” Sheriff Bergeron appeared with a roasted corn cob in his hand. “Best corn in the county. I was glad Burns showed up when he did, or we’d have missed the party.”
Bernie’s eyes widened. “You knew about it, too?”